Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) No start...solenoid problem?

[GrantP]

A few weeks ago the truck became hard to start whether hot or cold. Usually on the second or third try it would finally start and run fine. Eventually it would not start at all. Now the only way I can get the engine to run is to turn on the ignition key, pop the hood, pull up on the solenoid until it holds, then start. What I'm not sure about is whether this is a solenoid problem or a relay problem or... . ?



I believe there are two circuits for the solenoid, one to pull the solenoid up and one to hold it. The solenoid is obviously getting some power since it holds in the "up" position with the ignition on but it does not come up by itself when turning on the ignition. Any suggestions how to test to determine which component is failing? Relay or solenoid? Thanks for any help.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

try cleaning the contacts on the relay. It is the bigger of the two relays right near the solenoid, on the firewall. I took mine apart and cleaned it over a year ago. I used a point file, but a nail file will work too. No problems since.

Have fun,

joe

 

[Joe G.]

There is also a blue wire on the postive post of the driver's side battery. It's a fusable link. It may be bad or it may be loose on the post. The relay is most often the cause of what you are seeing. If you replace the relay and that is not it, check the blue wire.

 

[Breed]

It might be the Starter contacts, I had the same problem, got new contacts from Larry B's, changed to the bigger contacts and have had no more starter problems. Try this website for your starter questions. The small stock starter contacts are a problem in our trucks. http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

[GrantP]

Breed - Was your starter turning the engine? I realize the contacts aren't the best in the starter, but it turns over fine... just won't start since the solenoid is not coming up.

 

[Demon Dodge]

GrantP I just started having the same problem. Engine will crank but not start. After 2 or 3 tries it starts. I turned on the ky went out pushed up the solenoid and it started right up. Ok now the question did you get yours fixed? I have another solenoid and will give that a try first.

Thanks, Rod

 

[GrantP]

Demon - I'm going to look into it tomorrow and will post back. I haven't had a chance to troubleshoot yet. I'm hoping it's the relay... I'll let you know.

 

[GrantP]

Well I'm stumped. I disconnected the electrical connector at the solenoid, one wire has power when the ignition on, the middle wire has power while cranking, and the other is ground. All of that checks out, so I figured it must be the solenoid... I decided I'd test the solenoid before I pulled it off. I hooked up hot and ground wires directly to the solenoid from the battery and the solenoid works perfectly. I've cleaned the connection, used a tiny bit of dielectric grease on the contacts and I still have the same problem??? Stupid me, I thought I would be able to find something that was obviously broken or not working. Any other ideas of things to check? I've spent 3 hours this morning checking relays, fusible links, fuses, etc and I'm stuck.

 

[TMitch]

Grant,

I had the same problem and the diagnosis is simple. Crank the engine and if it doesn't start, leave the key in the run position. Pop the hood, check to see if the solenoid is pushed up. If it is not up, push it up. If it holds up (which yours should from your description) crank the engine again, it should start now. This points to a faulty relay. If it doesn't hold up then it's probably a solenoid problem. Replacement relays are available from Larry B, alot cheaper than DC. The relay is an easy fix, and you won't be stuck because you can just push it up by hand until you get a new relay. I hope this helps.

 

[KYOUNG]

I just fixed my fuel solenoid..... the rubber boot had melted down after 323,000 miles and was melted into the plunger and spring. I did the test with a 12 volt source and the solenoid worked but was real slow, so i removed solenoid and cleaned the rubber goo that was stuck to the plunger and put a 3 inch piece of bicycle tube on it and remounted it to engine . . its working fine now.

 

[GrantP]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I just wanted to let everyone know that it turned out it was the relay. I don't understand why the "pull" circuit still had power if the relay was bad but it starts without fail now with the new relay. Maybe it was just a weak contact in the relay that didn't quite have enough juice to pull up the solenoid...